Baltic Cruise

Scandinavia & Baltic Cruise: Complete 3-Week Itinerary from Southampton

November 1, 2024 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: May 2026

A Scandinavia and Baltic cruise is one of the most culturally rich itineraries available in Europe. In the space of three weeks, a single voyage can carry you from the dramatic Norwegian fjords — some of the deepest in the world — to medieval walled cities, Cold War landmarks, royal palaces, and prehistoric stone burial ships scattered across Baltic islands. This is a destination where the history is layered, the scenery extraordinary, and every port feels genuinely different from the last.

Our three-week voyage departed from Southampton, England, spending the first week exploring Norway’s western coast before returning to Southampton and embarking on a two-week Baltic segment that took us to Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Estonia, and Finland. This page is the complete guide to everything we saw and experienced — with links to the full post for each port.

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Visby, Sweden: Medieval Walled City, Cathedral, Church Ruins & Gotland Island

October 26, 2024 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: May 2026

Visby is located on the picturesque island of Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, in the middle of the Baltic Sea. Like Tallinn, Estonia, Visby is a remarkably well-preserved medieval city — but it carries a distinctly different character. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, its largely intact 13th-century ring wall, cobblestone streets, and dramatic Gothic church ruins create an atmosphere that feels genuinely medieval rather than merely historic. The entire island of Gotland is home to fewer than 60,000 people, and the walled city of Visby itself has a population of around 24,000 — making it a small, intimate, and extraordinarily beautiful place.

Sandy Huntley in Visby, the UNESCO-listed medieval walled city on Gotland island, Sweden

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Helsinki, Finland: Harbor Cruise, Suomenlinna Fortress, Cathedral & Sibelius Monument

October 21, 2024 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: May 2026

Helsinki is the capital of Finland and its largest city, with 1.58 million people living in the greater metropolitan area. Situated on a peninsula along the Gulf of Finland with the sea on three sides, Helsinki has a uniquely maritime character — a city that has always been shaped by the water around it. It sits just 50 miles north across the Gulf of Finland from Tallinn, Estonia, making the two capitals among the closest in the world. Over the years, Helsinki has consistently ranked among the most livable cities on earth, celebrated for its clean environment, excellent public services, safety, design culture, and the Finnish concept of sisu — a kind of quiet, resolute determination that runs through the national character. From Tallinn, Estonia we crossed the Gulf to Finland for a full day of exploration.

Helsinki cityscape and harbor viewed from the water, Finland

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Tallinn, Estonia: Medieval Old Town, Town Wall, Kadriorg Palace & Baltic Cruise

October 5, 2024 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: May 2026

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is a captivating blend of ancient medieval charm and modern Scandinavian-style vibrancy. With a population just under 500,000, this compact Baltic city boasts one of the most remarkably well-preserved Old Towns in all of Europe — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transports visitors back to the Middle Ages. Evidence of human settlement here dates back to at least 3000 BC, when early ceramic pottery was crafted on these shores. Situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, Tallinn sits just 50 miles south of Helsinki by boat and has long served as a strategic crossroads between Scandinavia, Russia, and the rest of Europe. We visited Tallinn after leaving Stockholm, and it quickly became one of the most memorable stops of the entire Baltic cruise.

Tallinn Old Town skyline with medieval towers and spires, Estonia

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Stockholm, Sweden: Royal Palace, Gamla Stan, City Hall, Nobel Prize & Vasa Museum

September 28, 2024 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: May 2026

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden — and one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. This enchanting metropolis encompasses fourteen islands connected by over 50 bridges, creating a uniquely picturesque atmosphere where the city seems to float between sky and sea. Over 2.5 million people live in the greater metropolitan area, making it the largest city in Scandinavia. Founded in the 13th century on a small island that is now the medieval old town of Gamla Stan, Stockholm grew over the centuries into a major Baltic trading power and one of Europe’s most elegant royal capitals. From Berlin, we traveled by sea to Stockholm — and it was immediately one of our favorite cities of the entire Baltic cruise.

Stockholm, Sweden waterfront and city skyline viewed from the water

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Berlin, Germany: Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie & Baltic Cruise Day Trip

September 15, 2024 by Michael Huntley

Last Updated: May 2026

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a city of profound contrasts. It’s a place where the full weight of 20th-century history coexists with a vibrant, forward-looking modern culture unlike anywhere else in Europe. From the haunting remnants of the Berlin Wall to world-class museums, a thriving arts scene, and legendary nightlife, there’s something to captivate every visitor. Over 3.85 million people call Berlin home today, making it the largest city in Germany and one of the most culturally dynamic capitals in the world. From Copenhagen we traveled to Warnemünde — a charming seaside resort community on Germany’s Baltic coast — where we caught a 2.5-hour train ride into the city. It was an ambitious day by any measure; we covered an extraordinary amount of ground on foot and got back on the ship at 9 pm, exhausted but exhilarated.

Berlin street scene and cityscape, Germany

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